Lovebug, the horse adored by hundreds of disabled children in Nuneaton and Bedworth, is recovering in an animal hospital after undergoing surgery to give her a more comfortable life.

Lovebug, the horse adored by hundreds of disabled children in Nuneaton and Bedworth, is recovering in an animal hospital after undergoing surgery to give her a more comfortable life.

Generous townsfolk helped raise #2,500 to finance the operation on the horse left mutilated in a savage attack three years ago.

The nine-year-old mare, a firm favourite among youngsters at the North Warwickshire Equestrian Centre, Galley Common, survived a life-threatening knife ordeal in 1999.

But the attack, which left her covered in blood after having her belly and hind quarters slashed, had far reaching implications.

Vets told the centre ? which also serves as the base for the Riding for the Disabled Association - that Lovebug would only fully recover from her attack if she was speyed.

Volunteers at the centre launched a fund-raising drive to pay for the delicate surgical procedure and Lovebug is now spending up to 10 days in an animal hospital in Nottinghamshire after undergoing her operation.

Sally Litchfield, the centre administrator, said: ?She had her operation on Thursday and, for the benefit of all her well-wishers, I can say she is doing fine. They are keeping an eye on her in hospital where she will remain for up to 10 days. The operation went well and they have sent off samples for histology tests, just to be on the safe side.?

Looking back to the knife attack, she said: ?After Lovebug was attacked, it was a bit touch-and-go for a time. We thought we might lose her.

?Her internal injuries were horrific. It shocked everyone here. I still don?t know how anyone could take a knife like that to such a lovely animal.

?She really is a big favourite with youngsters at the centre, but the attack on her left its mark.

?She came into season more often and her seasons lasted a lot longer, which meant she had a lot of problems. The vet advised us that the only treatment was to have her speyed.?